Lessons
5 & 6

Comparing Big Numbers

Comparing Numbers in Multiple Forms

Learn 5: How to Compare Big Numbers?

To compare numbers written in different forms, you must first change them all to the same form. The easiest is the standard form.

  1. Convert all numbers to standard form.
    • Word Form: "Four hundred fifty thousand, six hundred eighty-two" becomes 450,682
    • Expanded Form: "700,000 + 50,000 + 4,000 + 300 + 20 + 1" becomes 754,321.
  2. Count the digits. The number with more digits is always greater. (e.g., 10,000 > 5,901)
  3. If digits are equal, compare from left to right. Start with the largest place value and find the first digit that is different.

Example

Let's compare 754,321 with "Seven hundred fifty-four thousand, three hundred twenty-two".

1. Convert to Standard Form: "Seven hundred fifty-four thousand, three hundred twenty-two" → 754,322

2. Count Digits: Both numbers (754,321 and 754,322) have 6 digits.

3. Compare Left to Right: The first five digits are the same (754,32_). In the ones place, 1 is less than 2.

So, 754,321 < 754,322

Examples: Write (>, < or =) to compare.
37,048<37,184
217,906<271,906
4,010,065>4,000,056
810,340=810,340
2,346>2,338
723,215=723,215
503,278,105<503,279,100
478,765<479,112
752,321,271>72,321,271
7,492,102,235>7,491,102,235
... and now with different forms ...
70,000 + 4,000 + 50 + 7<70,000 + 4,000 + 500 + 70
Seven hundred thirty-eight thousand.>Seven hundred thirty-five thousand.
3,000,000 + 7,000 + 800 + 9=Three million, 7 thousand, 8 hundred nine.
[7×1M]+[5×100K]+[3×1K]<7M+500K+3K+400+90
500,000 + 70,000 + 90 + 8<1,000,000 + 5,000 + 1
Three milliard, 252 thousand, 304>Three milliard, 252 thousand, 34
(8×1M)+(6×1K)+(5×100)+(7×10)<(8×1M)+(2×10K)+(6×1K)+(5×100)+9
2G+400M+2K+30+2>2G+50M+8M+9K+50+9
Three hundred twenty-five thousand, fourteen=300,000 + 20,000 + 5,000 + 10 + 4
Home Worksheet YouTube Video Extra Exercises